Egypt jails woman for three years over video of her 'sexually harassing' monkey

The misdemeanor court in the northern city of Mansoura convicted the 25-year-old woman of "inciting debauchery, stirring up instincts and committing an obscene act in public".

"The defendant confessed to the prosecution that she committed the act. She said that she did not intend to carry out an indecent act and that she was tickling the monkey," the report said.

The sentence can be still be appealed.

The woman was arrested two months ago after footage emerged of her laughing while touching the genitals of a monkey in a pet shop in the Nile Delta city, while making sexual innuendos as people around her chuckle.

The short video was widely circulated online and was covered in mainstream media.

The ruling comes amid a "morality" crackdown in Egypt, with several female singers and dancers recently being convicted over racy outfits and suggestive performances.

Last month, an Egyptian actress was accused of "inciting debauchery" after she appeared at a red carpet event in a revealing lacy dress that showed part of her bottom.

The charges were dropped after she made a public apology.

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